Couch-pillow



A UNITED STATES,

PATENT Fries.,

JOHN FLINN, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 370,772, dated October4, 1887.

' Application filed October 2Q, 1586. Serial No. 216,981. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN FLINN, a citizen of the United States, residingat Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Couch-Pillows; and I do herebydeelare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description ofthe invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in couch-pillows; and it consistsin a pillow of cylindrical shape, cushioned all around with springs, andin the mechanism by.which it is pivotally and detachably connected tothe couch, lounge, cot, or other similar article of furniture.

In the accompanying drawings,Figure l represents a couch in perspective,with my improved pillow in full lines, and its position when reversed indotted lines. Fig. 2 isa vertical transverse section of the couch andpillow when the pillow is raised over its pivotal center and ready toswing in either direction. Fig. 3 is an isometric view of the skeletonor frame-work of the pillow, as seen when lready to be covered. Fi-g. 4is an edge view,

in elevation, of the vstandard and pivot-link by which the pillow isattached to the couch; and Fig. 5 is a view showing the construction ofsaid parts in detail. Fig. 6 shows another method of attachment, inwhich the pillow is adapted to revolve on its axis.

A represents the couch, which may be made in any desired shape orfashion, provided it be adapted for the attachment of my improved styleof pillow.

B is the pillow shown here as cylindrical in form, and consisting ofdisk-shaped heads b b, axial rod c, rigidly secured to the disks, andhelical springs d, arranged radially about the axial rod. The springsbeing constructed as shown and xed upon the rod or bar c at theirsmaller or reduced ends, they can be so disposed in relation to eachother as to furnish a` uniform and unbroken bearing-surface around therod from disk to disk and yet leave each spring or adjoining springsfree. to act without obstruction by those about them The manner ofsetting the springs is immaterial; but the number employed should besuch as will wholly occupy or cover the surface or bearing space, andprovide spring action and resistance wherever the pillow may be touched.The heads or disks b are rabbeted at b,so as to extend the cushionedsurfaces as near as possible to the ends of the pillow, and to form aseat for attaching the cover e, which incloses and compresses thesprings.

g g are standards firmly bolted or screwed to the head of the couch, ateither'side, and provided with lugs or projections g at their upperends. These lugs project from-the inner face of' the standards, and havea curved top and bottom and flattened sides.

It h are links or straps firmly secured to the outside of the respectivedisks, and provided with sockets h', having slots h2 opening to the endof the link. The lugs g are adapted to rest in the sockets h when thepillow is placed in position, and together they form the pivotpoint onwhich the pillow is reversed from one position .to the other. The sloth2 correspondsV in width to the width of the lug g', so that the pillowwill be locked on the standards and cannot be released or removed exceptwhen it is raised to a vertical position and the slot coincides withthesides of the 'lugs.

In the other form of attachment shown in Fig. 6 the links h h arepivotally connected with the pillow, and the axial rod c is free to turnthereon. This provides a pillow which revolves on its axis and bringsall parts of its surface equally into exposure and wear. In this casethe links necessarily are outside of the upholstering goods, but, ifmade ornamentahwill notdetract from appearances, while they add a noveland useful feature to the couch.

The advantages obtained in a couch of this character are, first, inthepillowitseltwhich, by reason of its equal spring-bearing from allsides toward its axial center, enables me to throw it into any desiredposition and to expose any part of it to use with the same satisfactoryresults; second, in its convenience in handling and removal for anypurpose what ever; and, third and chiefly, in the fact that it forms acouch which, by the simple move ment of the pillow from one position toanother, practically lengthens the couch for use equal to the diameterof the pillow and carries the pillow down on the rear edge of the couchin suitableposition for sleeping,

It should have been explained above that IOO the standards g are of suchheight and are so placed in relation to the end of the couch and thelinks h are of such length that when the pillow is reversed it will becarried over on top of the couch or lowered at its rear, according tothe position it occupies, about as shown in Fig. l. Then, when thrownup, asin Fig. 1, it serves as an arm-rest and the like, while in itslowered position it performs the oiice of a pillow for the head.

It will be understood that a pillow fashioned as above described is notnecessarily limited in its use to what is known asa couch, but may beadapted to lounges, cots, recliningchairs, and beds, and similararticles of furniture where adjustable pillows or head-rests are 1employed.

I am aware that a sofa-bed has been patented in which arms are shownthat may rest on the end of the frame in a raised position or be swungdown in alower position against the end of the frame; but in saidstructure the pillows have hinges along their bottom, attached to theframe, and require locks to hold them when raised; otherwise they wouldfall back. I employ standards at the side of my frame and have links ofsuch length connectwhich said springs bear, whereby the pressure againstthe pillow at any point is sustained and limited by the central support,substantially as set forth.

2. A cylindrical pillow provided with a series of spiral springsarranged radially about its longitudinal center, and a rigid support forsaid springs in said center, substantially as set forth.

3. A pillow having a bar or rod extending through the longitudinalcenter thereof, a series of helical springs having their smaller endsattached to said rod and arranged radially thereon, and webbing orcovering over said springs, substantially as set forth.

4. In a pillow, a pair of disk-shaped heads, a central rod connectingsaid heads, a series of helical springs bearing upon the rod andextending radially around the same, and webbing surrounding the springsand attached to the heads, substantially as set forth.

5. In a couch or like article, a frame having standards at its side nearits end, in combination with a pillow havinglinks connected with itsends, and constructed to engage and pivot upon the standards, wherebythe pillow may be thrown forward upon the couch or over its end into alower plane, substantially as set forth.

6. In a couch oralike article of furniture, a frame having standards, incombination with a pillow provided with bearings at its own axis, andarranged to be thrown into different positions in relation to the end ofthe couch, substantially as set forth.

JOHN FLINN.

Vitnesses:

H. T. FISHER, WM. M. MONROE.

